Collegiate Runner Returns to Racing After Brain Tumor

Competing as a distance runner at the Division I level year-round is tough enough for a collegiate student-athlete. However, for Lehigh University senior Shannon Wright, the road has been more rocky and challenging than she could've ever anticipated.

In August 2012, the then sophomore from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, collapsed at practice from what seemed like dehydration. But the fatigue lingered for days, and Wright began to feel dizzy and unable to focus. Her troubling symptoms landed her in the hospital.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

"I was weirdly calm about getting a brain MRI," Wright told Lehigh Sports Media Relations, who chronicled her journey in a feature written in conjunction with the start of the fall cross country season. "My mindset was, let's figure this out because I have a race next week. I was still in denial. It's probably good that I didn't know the scope of what was about to happen."

Though tests initially read as inconclusive, Wright soon dropped out of school, spending the next few weeks enduring test after test until November, when one revealed a benign but large tumor in her brain. Because of the location of the mass, doctors were hesitant to try to remove it. Meanwhile, after returning to Lehigh for the spring 2013 semester, teammates like Elizabeth Sinclair stepped up to help their struggling friend, who still managed a 4.0 GPA in biology.

In May, Wright received the go-ahead from doctors to have the surgery. It was a success.

"I really hope I can use this experience going forward in my career as a doctor," Wright said. "I'm in a unique position to have a personal perspective on healthcare issues, combined with the skill set to provide patients with the best medical care possible."

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Runner's World participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.